How to Become an Minister
4 Steps to Becoming an Minister
Step 1
Earn a bachelor’s degree
Ministers are required to have a deep understanding of Biblical doctrine, the role of the church, and the philosophy and history of religion. In order to get this education, pastors are required to earn a bachelor’s degree in religious studies, religious education, or theology. While in these programs, students take courses in the mystery of God, world religions, religious ethics, marriage and the church, and the Old and New Testaments.
Step 2
Complete a master’s degree
Generally, churches expect ministers to hold a master’s degree in divinity in order to get employment. These programs are designed to teach students about the rigors of being a church leader and how to handle the responsibility to their congregation and community. Coursework covers writing and delivering sermons, transformational leadership, theological aesthetics, conducting worship services, and political theology.
Step 3
Become ordained
In order to have religious authority in a church, aspiring ministers must undergo the ordination process. Standards for becoming ordained depend on the specific religious denomination. Some churches may require written or oral examinations, while others expect ministers to volunteer at the church for a certain amount of time.
Step 4
Get certified.
Earning a certification can improve your skills and make you a more marketable candidate. Potential certifications include certified applications professional, Cloudera certified professional: data scientist, EMC: data science associate and SAS certified predictive modeler using SAS Enterprise Miner 7.
Step 5
Obtain a license
Some states require ministers to obtain a license in order to work for a church. Licensing requirements vary from state to state, so future ministers should find out what is expected of them.
FAQ on Earning Your Minister Degree
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Yes. There are many types of religious denominations, so those that don’t have a preference should learn about them and determine which one they connect with most. This can be done by taking courses during college, as well as volunteering for different kinds of churches.
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It depends on the denomination they are a part of. Some ministry boards require pastors to complete continuing education courses through their church or a professional religious organization.
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Ministers are required to connect with their community, and one way they can do this is by maintaining social media pages. This allows them to communicate with parishioners about what’s going on in the church, as well as speak to other pastors and the community at large.
Minister Salary & Job Growth
Ministry is a calling, but those who are thinking about training for this career must still consider their chances of getting a job. This section discusses the job prospects for ministers, as well as their earning potential.
PayScale details the salaries of ministers and reports that the median annual salary they command is $50,080. In addition, the site includes the following breakdown of how much these professionals earn at different stages of their career.
- Entry-level ministers (0-5 years of experience) earn $38,000 per year
- Mid-career ministers (5-10 years of experience) earn $49,000 per year
- Experienced ministers (10-20 years of experience) earn $52,000 per year
- Late-career ministers (20+ years of experience) earn $58,000 per year
Alabama
Mean wage annual: $47,140
Alaska
Mean wage annual: $56,540
Arizona
Mean wage annual: $49,380
Arkansas
Mean wage annual: $45,330
California
Mean wage annual: $60,070
Colorado
Mean wage annual: $55,270
Connecticut
Mean wage annual: $54,650
Delaware
Mean wage annual: $53,930
Florida
Mean wage annual: $47,060
Georgia
Mean wage annual: $52,330
Hawaii
Mean wage annual: $52,830
Idaho
Mean wage annual: $40,110
Illinois
Mean wage annual: $49,260
Indiana
Mean wage annual: $45,880
Iowa
Mean wage annual: $48,310
Kansas
Mean wage annual: $44,180
Kentucky
Mean wage annual: $47,320
Louisiana
Mean wage annual: $50,990
Maine
Mean wage annual: $51,640
Maryland
Mean wage annual: $47,190
Massachusetts
Mean wage annual: $59,240
Michigan
Mean wage annual: $42,070
Minnesota
Mean wage annual: $48,190
Mississippi
Mean wage annual: $46,070
Missouri
Mean wage annual: $50,660
Montana
Mean wage annual: $46,610
Nebraska
Mean wage annual: $46,410
Nevada
Mean wage annual: $51,450
New Hampshire
Mean wage annual: $55,620
New Jersey
Mean wage annual: $55,730
New Mexico
Mean wage annual: $49,540
New York
Mean wage annual: $54,280
North Carolina
Mean wage annual: $48,440
North Dakota
Mean wage annual: $47,120
Ohio
Mean wage annual: $46,360
Oklahoma
Mean wage annual: $46,870
Oregon
Mean wage annual: $50,280
Pennsylvania
Mean wage annual: $47,060
Rhode Island
Mean wage annual: $50,540
South Carolina
Mean wage annual: $55,710
South Dakota
Mean wage annual: $47,040
Tennessee
Mean wage annual: $48,320
Texas
Mean wage annual: $50,500
Utah
Mean wage annual: N/A
Vermont
Mean wage annual: $42,780
Virginia
Mean wage annual: $40,440
Washington
Mean wage annual: $62,050
West Virginia
Mean wage annual: $39,660
Wisconsin
Mean wage annual: $48,340
Wyoming
Mean wage annual: N/A
According to O*NET OnLine, there will be a five to nine percent growth of jobs for ministers between 2016 and 2026, which amounts to 29,200 positions created during this time. The exact number of available minister jobs will be tied to the economy, however, as denominations are unlikely to build new churches during lean economic times.
Finding a Minister Program
Ministers have a huge responsibility to their communities, so they should get the best training available to prepare them for it. This section provides information to help those interested in training for ministry find the school that’s right for them.
Students who enter degree programs have several concerns that guide their decision. Those in search of a degree want to know how much their tuition will cost. Other concerns may include how long it takes to complete a program, whether or not they can earn a certification during their time in the program, and how courses are delivered. Use the following tool to search schools by these criteria and find the program that meets your needs.
Professional Minister Associations & Groups
Being in ministry is all about community, so joining professional associations can help pastors stay connected with each other and learn skills that will make them more effective in their home churches. The following are examples of some of the organizations ministers can become a part of.
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Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association
Promotes excellence in ministry, education, and collaboration among colleagues. The association offers events, mentoring services, and a library of resources.
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International Ministerial Association
This association has worked to empower ministers since 1954. Offers education programs and other events.
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National Association of Christian Ministers
This interdenominational Christian association provides training, leadership development, and mentoring services.
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Evangel Association of Churches and Ministries
Provides networking and training to professional ministers.
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National Campus Ministry Association
This group is geared toward ministers who work in a higher education setting. Members participate in an annual conference, receive a quarterly newsletter, and have access to opportunities to network with each other.
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Association of Youth Ministry Educators
Dedicated to those who work in the youth ministry field. It provides an annual conference, a member directory, awards for excellence, and professional development sessions. The organization also publishes the Journal of Youth Ministry.
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Federation of Christian Ministries
Provides certifications, continuing education, newsletters, and regional and national assemblies.
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Association of Pastoral Ministers
Members of this organization participate in community building and networking events and education programs.
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International Association of Women Ministers
Supports women in ministry by providing opportunities to network and learn.
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National Association for Lay Ministry
This organization has been dedicated to the needs of those in lay ministry in the Catholic Church since 1976.
Resources for Ministers
In order to be effective in ministry, professionals should always work on sharpening their skills and knowledge. The following resources can help.
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Minister’s Toolbox – Stitcher
This podcast is designed to help pastors handle the challenges of working in the ministry. Includes interviews with ministers and discussions of topics ministers should consider.
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Pastor Resources – The JCA Company
This site provides resources to pastors to help them be effective in their jobs.
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Enrichment Journal – AG.org
Journal designed to equip ministers with the tools they need to lead a congregation.
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Characteristics Of Effective Ministers (Colossians 1:24-19) – Bible.org
Provides Biblical advice on how to be an effective minister.
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Called into Ministry? Five Questions to Ask Yourself – Credo House
This article provides advice to those considering becoming a minister.
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Well-Being and Excellence in Ministry: A Practical Resource for Ministers and Caring Congregations – Cooperative Baptist Fellowship
Provides insights from ministers on how to be a successful pastor.
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The 6 Core Responsibilities of a Senior Pastor OutreachMagazine.com
Outlines what is expected from senior pastors.
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The Senior Pastor’s Role and Responsibilities in Leading a Pastoral Staff – Liberty University Christian College Education
Discusses the responsibilities head pastors have to their staff, their congregants, and their communities.
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Ministry Magazine – General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Monthly magazine for ministers that has been providing advice since 1928.
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Preaching.com
This site provides articles, podcasts, and videos for ministers.